Friday, December 2, 2016

There's a New Mouse In the House!!

Painting mice has taken a backseat to other paintings - and several road trips this past summer.  Last week, though, I did get an urge to paint another mouse.  So, I put the painting that was on my easel aside for a little bit and replaced it with a wee mouse hole.  And before too long, a little mouse was peering out at me from the hole.  

Today, he is ready for adoption.  But I didn't have a name for him yet.  Sometimes names come while I'm painting and sometimes I have to search the internet for the "right" name.  I even keep a list of possible names.  Some of my friends have even emailed names they like!  Those get added to the list of "possibles", too.  Today, though, it was different.  I was working on another painting and turned to pick up more paint with my brush when my eye caught the little mouse staring back at me.  (there's a row of paintings along the wall right behind my painting table)  I did the most logical thing and asked "What's your name?".  Now you just might think I'm a bit crazy, and I swear I didn't see his little mouth move, and I didn't hear a little mouse voice, but a name immediately popped into my head.  Loud.  Right there, no doubt. Wilbur. He's Wilbur.
Wilbur - a Baseboard Mouse

Wilbur comes from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  I think perhaps he hitched a ride back with us from our trip there in September.  He likes to consider himself a "Yooper".  That's what the folks who live in the Upper Peninsula call themselves.  Wilbur loves pasties - a favorite food of the area.  He also loves snow and building snowmice. 

The mice's website has been down again recently.  It's up again now, though, and with any luck it will stay that way.  (Long "technical" story - if you're interested in it, just send me an email and I'll explain.)  If you haven't been to the website to see the mice available for "adoption" recently - or if you tried and couldn't get there - here's a link.....  baseboardmice.com   (They make great stocking stuffers!)

Thanks for stopping by!!

susan
susan@baseboardmice.com
www.baseboardmice.com

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The mice are back!!

The mice have been on vacation at the beach for the past few weeks and this morning when I arrived in my studio I was delighted to find that not only have they returned, but they brought a new friend with them!!

This is Rosa.  She is a Santa Rosa Beach Mouse.  The sand in Santa Rosa Beach is very white and Rosa's coat is nearly the same.  It helps her to blend in when she is playing in the dunes.

Rosa loves Florida and the beach and the Gulf waves.  

Rosa

If you would like to "adopt" Rosa, just head over to the mice's website.  


Maybe Rosa is not the only friend the mice brought back with them.  Hmm..... I'll have to keep an eye out for more new little friends!


susan

www.baseboardmice.com

Monday, June 27, 2016

Stella - a new Mouse in the House!!

Summer is upon us once again.  The gardens are filled with a rainbow of color with day lilies and coneflowers and brown-eyed susans.  A pair of Carolina Wrens are building a nest just outside the kitchen window and their songs wake us in the morning and entertain us the entire day.  Such a beautiful time of year.

Today I am pleased to introduce you to Stella - the latest in my Baseboard Mice series.  Stella has a fondness for country music and barbecue.  She comes from “Music City” Nashville where she enjoys Saturday nights at the Grand Ole Opry.

Stella
Stella - and the other "adoptable" baseboard mice still available - can be found on their very own website - www.baseboardmice.com.  It's hard to believe, but Stella is #70 in my series and there are only about 10 mice left to be "adopted"!  Looks like I need to get busy creating more mice!  

Thanks so much to all of you who have "adopted" mice and supported my art!!

And thanks for stopping by....

susan

www.baseboardmice.com
www.susangarriques.com

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Sneaking a peek......

The mice have been hibernating ever since the weather got cold.  But just the other day, I caught one peeking out of their little hole in the baseboard.  I managed to snap a photo of her and chat with her a bit before she scurried away.

Her name is Tessa.  Tessa loves to nibble on cheese scones, especially if they are spiked with jalapeño peppers.  Her favorites are made by Susan of Maples in Micaville, NC.  Tessa makes her own Cheddar-Jalapeño Scones and shared her recipe with me.  I'll include it below.

This is Tessa....  (she is available for adoption, if you are interested!)

Tessa


Tessa explained to me that it was her friend, Mica, that introduced her to the delicious scones at Maples.

This is Mica...

Mica

Mica was named for the mica found in the mines near where he comes from - Micaville, North Carolina.  He was spotted recently in the loft of OOAK Gallery listening to the Saturday morning music jam.  If you are in the area, you really must stop in.  Great art, great music and delicious treats next door at Maples.  Mica was adopted a few months ago and has a wonderful home now with lots of music.  

As promised, here is Tessa's recipe for her scones.  She doesn't think they are as good as the ones that Susan Scoggins makes at Maples, but they are good substitute if you can't make it to Micaville!  


Tessa's Cheddar-Jalapeño Scones

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 eggs, divided
1/4 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, diced
2 small jalapeños pepper, minced

Preheat oven to 400°F.

In a small skillet, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter and sauté the jalapeños in it until soft, about two minutes. Let them cool, then place them in a small bowl with the cheddar cheese and coat them with one tablespoon of the flour.

Combine the remaining flour with the baking powder and salt. Cut in the remaining butter with a pastry blender, fork or two knives, until the butter bits are pea sized.

Lightly whip two of the eggs and cream and add to the flour-butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, fold mixture until it begins to come together.

Add the cheddar-jalapeño mixture to the dough and mix until everything is incorporated.

Turn out the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead gently for less than one minute. 

Pat dough out to a 3/4- to 1-inch thickness and either cut into 8 triangles or the shape of your choice with a biscuit cutter.

Make an egg wash by beating the remaining egg with a teaspoon of water. Brush the scones with egg wash and place on a well-oiled or parchment lined baking sheet. 

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.



Thanks for stopping by.  If you try the recipe, be sure to let me know and I'll pass it along to Tessa!!

susan